Letters to the Editor: 01.08.10

With the passing of individuals like Mr. Sam Kane (a Resistance fighter) and those of the "Greatest Generation" (the liberators of World War II), an era draws to a close. Let us not forget the atrocities perpetrated by the sadistic Nazis upon millions of innocent men, women and children.

As George Santayana said, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Gary N. Blum

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Try reaching out

I would like to thank all of those who commented on the tragedy that occurred last Friday morning here in Kingsville. It takes real guts to sit at your computer and type in negative things about someone and to try to pass judgment.

That is not why I am writing. The survivor who rode in the vehicle happens to be best of friends with my son. He is a good-hearted young man. I did not know the others who perished in the accident, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment on them. I will tell the families of these two young men that my prayers and tears are being shared with them.

As for the survivor, not one comment was made either about him or the other survivors. It is extremely difficult to face death, especially when others have gone on. Instead of thinking as a small-minded person, why not ask what you can do to help? Families are in shambles and hearts are broken. Bones will mend. Injuries will heal. What of the human heart?

Can any of us out there find it in our human nature to reach out to those who are left behind? If you can, then do so. This could have been someone you loved. This could have been your son, father, brother, uncle, husband or friend!

Michelle Spearmon, Kingsville

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‘Hero' was lucky

I read and saw the story of the fireman who stopped on the Harbor Bridge on Christmas Day to deliver his fifth child, and was appalled at the story's treatment. The man was spoken of in glowing terms when in fact he presented a very real public danger.

Stopping on the bridge endangered his family and any unsuspecting following vehicles. It takes exactly 21 seconds to reach the bottom of the bridge while driving at 55 mph. While he was under stress at the time, his unthinking action could have led to a story byline saying, "Panic kills family and others."

The news stories should have cautioned the public to never stop in dangerous locations if at all avoidable. He was lucky and not heroic or prudent.

Chuck Olson, Portland

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How did you decide?

I read your editorial regarding 2009 and wonder what criteria you used to decide that the crowd at the inauguration of President Obama was the happiest in history.

I was extremely happy when George W. Bush was elected for his first term and even happier when he was elected the second time. Now I admit I was here in Corpus Christi and not in the capital, but I bet there were people there who were at least as happy as I was and maybe even happier.

While realizing editorials are opinion pieces, I still wonder how the determination was made.

Jean Whipple

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Road not drivable

Has anyone from the City Council or the city inspector's office driven down Staples Street lately?

I am speaking of the area from south of Leopard to Six Points.

This stretch of roadway has been left in such a horrible condition that private vehicles can no longer drive through there.

It has been left undrivable by the construction company doing the project. No one from the city inspector's traffic division seems to be watching, or perhaps doesn't care.

I know for a fact that in cities like Austin, San Antonio, Houston, etc., this company would have been fired for maintaining their project like this.

The citizens and motorists of Corpus Christi deserve a lot better than this, so whoever is not doing their job at City Hall needs to do it.

And while I am on this subject, how about TxDOT working on maintaining the freeway lights on Interstate 37 between the 358 interchange and downtown?

Most of this highway's lights have been out since the middle of last year, thus causing very unsafe conditions, especially during inclement weather.